Check all that apply:
___Land ___Economy ___A regional issue ___People
Name: _________________
Date: ______ Sec.: ____
Background reading
 Welcome to the Amazon
>> Directions: Use this sheet to take notes as you read the Amazon e-book.
Be sure to write the page number where you got your information whenever
the question asks for it.
Chapter 1: A natural wonder
READING PURPOSE (before you read, copy the reading purpose for Chapter 1):
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CHECK-IN #1: Use bullet phrases to list four facts describing the Amazon Basin
and the Amazon Rainforest. Be specific, and put the ideas into your own words. Be
sure to note the page number where you found each fact.
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CHECK-IN #2: Map the Amazon
Basin, using the map in the reading
as a guide.
1. Outline the Amazon
River in blue.
2. Label the river’s
source and mouth.
3. Lightly shade the
Amazon Basin in green.
4. Trace some of the
Amazon’s tributaries in
blue.
CHECK-IN #3: Use bullet points to list four reasons that the Amazon Rainforest
is important. Be specific, and put the ideas into your own words.
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Chapter 2: Threats to the Amazon
READING PURPOSE (before you read, copy the reading purpose for Chapter 2):
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CHECK-IN #4: Answer the questions below, based on the information in the
reading. Be sure to note the page number where you found each fact.
1. Who encouraged development in the Amazon? _______________ Page: ___
2. Which group of people lived in the Amazon Rainforest first?
__________________________________________________ Page: ___
3. What four groups did the development bring to the Amazon?
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4. What percentage of the Amazon Rainforest has been cut down (deforested)
over the past 40 years?
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5. Which group is responsible for the most deforestation? Look at the graphic in
the reading and list the groups in order from most responsible (#1) to least
responsible (#4).
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CHECK-IN #5:
1. List two problems caused by deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. Be
sure to note the page number where you found each answer.
a. ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________ Page: ___
b. ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________ Page: ___
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2. What is the “greenhouse effect?” Summarize in sentences or in a flow chart
using arrows to show what happens at each step. Do not just copy the
diagram from the reading. Start with fossil fuels burning.
SUMMARIZE: So basically…
Review your notes about the entire reading (both chapters). Using bullet phrases,
list at least three problems happening right now in the Amazon Rainforest.
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Amazon Rainforest vocabulary
In your own words, define or describe these terms from the two readings:
rainforest ______________________________________________________
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river basin _____________________________________________________
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tributary _______________________________________________________
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tropical climate zone _____________________________________________
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biodiversity ____________________________________________________
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“lungs of the Earth” ______________________________________________
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deforestation ___________________________________________________
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Challenge: Climate change hurts tropical rainforests
Use what you read to write a one-paragraph summary of why climate change
is damaging the rainforests.
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